Presents a variety of new essays on one of the most widely read authors of Native American fiction. For readers who are studying Erdrich for the first time, a biographical sketch relates the details of her life and four essays survey the critical reception of Erdrich's work, explore its cultural and historical contexts, and review key themes in her work. Readers seeking a deeper understanding of the writer can then move on to other essays that explore topics like Native American identity, spiritualism, language, and assimilation issues, as well as relationships and economic and social issues.